Growing up in the Walsh family, Domenic was seen as aplished and capable.
But no one knew his inner struggles, his constraints, or that he felt everyone approached him for their gain.
Only Lindsey had uttered thoseforting words, saying, “I’ll protect you,” when he was vulnerable, allowing him to let down his guard and be himself.
It filled him with an unparalleled sense of warmth and sce.
He had given her his heart, amitment he couldn’t revoke.
If his grandpa could set aside his preconceived notions, he’d develop a fondness for Lindsey.
Carole’s face showed a fleeting sadness, yet she managed a smile.
“Domenic, I understand.
My only wish is for you and your grandpa to be well and happy.
My greatest aspiration is for your grandpa to enjoy a long life and for you to find someone you love and lead a joyous existence.
“As for me… I’ll manage,” Carole replied in a quivering voice.
Bowing her head, she added, “Mr.
Walsh, please don’t pressure Domenic.
Forcing him to marry me won’t make us happy.
I implore you.
For Domenic’s happiness, I’m ready to step aside and grant his desire!”
“Carole,” Jordan uttered with understanding in his voice.
He grasped what was going through Carole’s mind, and her selflessness for his grandson weighed heavily on him.
Jordan gently patted Carole’s hand and reassured her, “Rtionships can develop with time.
Besides, Domenic isn’t seeing anyone at the moment.
In my view, you’re the most suitable match for him.
”
Carole gazed at Domenic, tears brimming in her eyes.
Jordan, sensing something amiss, looked at Domenic.
“You’re refusing Carole because there’s someone else you like? If that’s the case, just be straightforward with me.
Am I being overly demanding? I won’t do anything to thatdy.
”
Domenic’s expression darkened.
Domenic understood that his grandpa was issuing a veiled threat.
Despite the mild tone and unchanged expression, he recognized that the moment someone’s name left his lips, his grandpa would ensure that person vanished without a trace.
Throughout his childhood and into adulthood, any woman who had even the slightest contact with Domenic or was seen beside him would mysteriously disappear.
At first, Domenic dismissed it as mere coincidence, but one day, he identally overheard his grandfather instructing his subordinates to eliminate a female ssmate with whom he had exchanged a few words.
Young Domenic had been so frightened at that moment that he had tightly covered his mouth to stifle any scream.
Hearing those chilling words from his usually kind-hearted grandpa had left him deeply unsettled.
His emotions were a tangled mess, and he was unsure if, one day, he might meet the same fate if he disobeyed his grandfather.Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.
From that day on, he distanced himself from any interaction with women.
It wasn’t due to coldness but rather a desperate effort to prevent any girls from getting killed because of him.
He was inherently kind, but kindness held no value in his grandfather’s eyes.
So, he resorted to adopting a facade of indifference and ruthlessness, a mask he wore for the sake of self-preservation.
That was until Lindsey entered his life.
He had been inadvertently drawn to her, approaching, pursuing, and helplessly falling in Love with her.
He had contemted marrying her, but that would undoubtedly ignite his grandpa’s wrath.
The death of his father had made his grandpa deeply apprehensive of ordinary girls seeking to ascend to the upper echelons.
Although Domenic had carved out his own domain in Morcastle, the real power of the Walsh Group still rested firmly in Jordan’s hands.
Jordan was domineering and influential, and his capabilities even surpassed Domenic’s.
If Jordan decided to confront Lindsey, Domenic wasn’t confident he would be able to protect her.
“No,” Domenic firmly stated after a brief silence.
The best way to protect Lindsey was to keep her existence hidden from them.